Tiger Men

I’ve just about finished my Boxers and Chinese Imperials for TMWWBK, just a couple of Jingals to base.

Here’s the penultimate unit, Tiger Men from Blue Moon, they are very good figures and a pleasure to paint. 

Although all the Tiger Men models I’ve ever seen carry only a sword and shield in practice fire arms were part of their kit.  Sometimes they were fired through a slot in the shield. 

Tiger Men, contrary to what we might assume, were high grade skirmishers rather than do or die assault troops.  Their function, often supported by Jingals was to disrupt the enemy. 

One of the things they trained for was dealing with cavalry.  In this drill the Tiger Men broke into small units and formed tight defensive circles crouching (below sabre reach) and covering each other with their shields.  

When the cavalry broke up to surround them, presumably slashing ineffectively, the Tiger men would suddenly leap up yelling and thrusting their garishly painted shields at the horses’ eyes while cutting at the riders.  The idea being the startled cuddies would shy away and unbalance their riders thus rendering them more vulnerable to attack.

I have not come across any such encounter between Tiger Men and European cavalry but it’s a nice story so I thought I'd share it.

Project Round Up

You will have noticed I have a few small projects on the go.  I thought I’d do a quick round up to remind myself where I’ve got to.

French and Indian Wars

All done apart from two bases of abatis.  Though I’m tempted to add some French standard bearers in full uniform as opposed to waistcoats.

Jacobites ’19 and ‘45

A lowland/ English unit, the Irish Piquets and another unit of Highlanders to paint.

Boxers

I have a Russian force to paint and I want some of the new Blue Moon Tigermen and Jingals.  I have enough ready for a game of The Men Who Would Be Kings.  I’ve also got a lot of Chinese scenery planned.

Chariots Rampant

Two Syrian chariots to paint and we are game ready. 

Nap' Rampant
Awaiting figures but a good start made.

Romans Rampant

I’m finessing the stats which is proving straightforward and searching out what figures I have to hand.  The latter is good reflection of later Roman realities-you field the army you can rather than the one you’d like to.  Luckily, I found an unpainted legion, well 12 figures, it wouldn’t have been a show without Punch.

Zulu War

Both sides are now done, cattle have been bought, painted and based.  I’ll stick some pics up shortly. 

Most of this is Dan Mersey's fault and I thank him for it.  Lots of lost projects revitalised there.

Jingals in The Men Who Would Be Kings

There are no stats for Jingals in The Men Who Would Be Kings.  Of course, if you have Boxer, or Imperials or Tai Ping troops you want Jingals.

Right then, what do we know about Jingals?  Basically, a Jingal was like a big shot gun with a two- man crew.  At short range, it could be very effective at long range it was nearly useless.  It was though very mobile, a Jingal and crew could easily keep up with infantry.  They were often used from cover or concealment.  You can see two of them, mounted on tripods, front and centre, below. Sometimes there was no tripod with one of the crew resting the weapon on his shoulder instead.

I’m rating mine as follows: Irregular crewed weapon, 2 crew three dice each, range ‘3 (for 15mm), speed ‘3. A Jingal crews only defence against close quarter assault was to evade it so their free movement will be skirmish.  I’m thinking a cost of 2 points, possibly 3.

While we are on the subject Blue Moon 15/18mm have released a lovely bag of Jingals and crews under the title of Chinese Wall Guns.

Four Sixes for China

Here is my Great Powers expeditionary force for China.  

First, we have the German Sea Battalion.

Next the elite Italian Bersaglieri.

Finally, some British Sailors.

With a supporting gun and crew. 

Four units in all, all costing 6 points and totalling the required 24 points required for a TMWWBK company.  So, a fairly dull decision to rate everyone as dependable, formidable regulars but OK for a first in period game.

In future games, I’ll make the Bersaglieri sharp shooters and the Sailors fierce.  I also have the figures for a Russian Company, Cossacks, Dragoons, Sailors and artillery.  I’ve yet to paint most of them but I think I will get them all done. 

I've also got a unit of armed civilians for defending Legations and the like.  The latter might well accompany a naval brigade for Zulu related fun at the Cape.  Chelmsford never came back... sort of thing.

All of the toys are all Old Glory 15mm should you be thinking of getting some.  

I finished a unit of Mongols too, to support the Boxers.  They are sold as Chinese Irregular Cavalry and, believe it or not, this is the only photo of them I've seen on line.

Chinese Court Yard House

If you’re interested in games set in China you probably lament the lack of good model buildings to put on the table top.  Most of us end up buying fish tank ornaments and using them.

There are some good Chinese wooden puzzle buildings that are just the job. Sadly, unless you visit China the price has tended to be very high.  I recall seeing £35.00 once for the traditional Chinese Court Yard House.  It’s a great model as you can see if you visit the Wargaming For Grown Ups blog (look under Tai Ping).

By now you must be wondering if there is a point to my rambling.  There is indeed, I have just taken receipt of the traditional Chinese Court Yard House model for which I paid the princely sum of £6.99-post free.  I bought it on ebay this week, look under Chinese Wooden Puzzles if you want one.

The Gloves Are Off

Yes, it’s the Boxer Rising using The Men Who Would Be Kings.  I have the figures, barring some Tiger Men soon to be provided by Blue Moon.  So how to rate them?  Something like this I think.

Tiger Men

Irregular Infantry, obsolete rifle, veteran, Free Actions Move and Skirmish. Twelve men at a cost of 5 points.

Kansu Braves

Irregular Infantry, well-armed, Free Actions Fire and Stand to. Twelve men at a cost of 5 points.

Boxers

Tribal Infantry seems the best fit, Free Actions Move and Charge. Sixteen men at a cost of 3 points, or upgraded to fierce at 5 points.

Banner Men

Irregular Infantry, poorly armed, Free Actions Fire and Move. Twelve men at a cost of 2 points.

Metropolitan Banner Men

Irregular Infantry, well-armed, Free Actions Fire and Stand to. Twelve men at a cost of 5 points.

Mongols

Unenthusiastic Irregular Cavalry.  Eight men at a cost of 5 points.  Or possibly veteran with modern weapons costing more.

Artillery

Well drilled modern artillery at six points.

The good news is that I have nearly enough figures already painted to make a Company for each side.  My Boxers are based for Piquet Field of Battle where they act as village militia in the Tai Ping and Opium Wars. I might buy some more of them and base them for TMWWBK.  China fans will have recognised, indeed, probably own, one of the famous fish tank bridges that features in the photos.

China Restored

The photos are back in the China posts, Manchu and Tai Ping.  If you missed them first time around you could give them a click using the China label on your right.

You don't often see these armies.

The Tai Ping in 15mm

Hong Xiuquan failed the exams needed to ensure his entry into the Chinese Imperial Civil Service. He took it badly and upon going home had a series of visions. Some years later under the influence of protestant evangelical pamphlets he realised that the figures in his visions were God and Jesus and concluded that he was God's Chinese Son and the younger brother of Jesus. Significantly in one vision Confucius founder of the ethos of the Imperial Civil Service was being punished for error.  Much punishment followed.

Hong was a Hakka and so not from China's Han majority and his message proved very attractive to the then marginalised Hakka population. Hong's central message included overthrowing the Chinese State and replacing it with the Tai Ping Heavenly Kingdom, gender equality, killing landlords and the sharing of property. His followers armed and organised themselves and proved to be fearsome and disciplined soldiers who waged a truly massive war on Manchu China for about 14 years.

                   
The Tai Ping were also able to recruit the Miao another minority population as allies.  The Miao, recognised as hard fighters, were equipped with long jezzail like matchlocks and spears and swords.

Despite a persistent effort to ally with the colonial powers and to secure modern arms Tai Ping armies had to mainly rely on traditional Chinese weaponry. Some Europeans fought for them.

For cavalry the Tai Ping mostly recruited the Ni'en who lived mainly by banditry.

If you would like a Tai Ping force almost all of the figures above are from Irregular Miniatures.

A MANCHU ARMY FOR THE OPIUM AND TAI PING WARS

This is about my Manchu Ching Dynasty Army.  It has been a long time in the making and soon it will see table top action against the Tai Ping and oppose the British as part of a three side campaign. As armies go it is going to struggle to win as it lacks both firepower and high quality melee troops.  It is though an interesting army and a colourful one and will be more so once flags are added.  

There were three parts to the army the Manchu Banner Men who could turn up as cavalry or infantry, the Chinese Green Standard troops who were all infantry and the Mongol cavalry who the British called Tatars.  The Banner Men varied in quality but could on occasion put up a good fight.  The Chinese infantry were quick to run away but equally fast to rally and they would tenaciously defend fieldworks.  

The Mongols were brave and excellent horsemen but their hit and run style ran into trouble against superior fire power.

As far as armament went each unit had a mixture of melee weapons and either matchlock muskets or composite bows the latter being the exclusive preserve of the Manchu and Mongols.

Ingenious weapons like stink pots that released a choking smoke to confound the enemy were also deployed. Rockets were also used but not with much effect.

Much use was made of Jingals or Gingals a light gun carried and crewed by two men that could be very effective at close range although not at longer ranges.

Tiger Men were skilled and well-motivated skirmishers who often supported by Jingals would attempt to disrupt the enemy.

There was also effective artillery which lacking in mobility was often deployed to cover an area of the battlefield, occasionally from concealment, in anticipation of an enemy move.  These are the masked batteries much discussed by the British in the Opium Wars.